Valentine's Day 2020, 2021 and onwards

Valentine’s Day in the UK occurs on February 14 each year. It is the day of romantic love where people send cards, love letters, chocolates, confectionary or small romantic presents to their (secret) loves (see also Valentine’s Day in our Shopping Calendar). February 14 however, was originally a religious day in honour of Saint Valentine. He was a Christian martyr in the Roman era that was imprisoned for marrying Roman soldiers. The Christian religion was outlawed in that time and he was executed because he refused to give up his faith. For that reason during a long period, Saint Valentine was associated with sacrifice. The first connection with romantic love is considered to be a poem from Geoffrey Chaucer written in 1382. The romantic tradition flourished in European courts in the late middle ages and found its way to the masses in the 18th Century in England. Nowadays it is a holiday that is observed in many countries around the world and is considered to be the day of romantic love and friendship.